System and method for trailer attachment

ABSTRACT

The disclosure provides a system and method for trailer attachment.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of, incorporates by reference,and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/836,409.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This disclosure relates in general to a system and method for trailerattachment. More particularly, the disclosure relates to a system forconnecting a trailer vehicle to a towing vehicle.

BACKGROUND

The disclosed subject matter provides a system and method for trailerattachment. The system may include a fifth wheel hitch that may, whenutilized in the method, allow a trailer to be affixed within the bed ofa towing vehicle.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure provides a system and method for trailerattachment. The system may comprise a substantially rectangular framestructure comprising a closed bottom interior section, wherein the framestructure may be affixed to at least a portion of a towing vehicleframe. At least two shelving elements may be affixed to at least twointerior walls. The at least two shelving elements may be spaced adistance from the bottom of the interior section and may each compriseat least one orifice.

The system may further comprise at least two upper retaining elementsthat may be affixed to at least two interior walls. The at least twoupper retaining elements may be spaced a distance from the shelvingelements. The upper retaining elements may each comprise at least oneorifice. A platform comprising a top surface and a bottom surface may beat least partially encompassed within the open interior space of the atleast two shelving elements. At least two receiver elements may beaffixed to the platform and may comprise a hollow interior portion.

The system may further comprise a hitch base portion that may bepivotable about a pivot axis. The pivot axis may be retained within aportion of each of the receiver elements and the hitch base portion. Afifth wheel hitch may be welded to the hitch base portion. A lock barmay be slidably engageable within the distance between the shelvingelements and the upper retaining elements, wherein the lock bar maycomprise at least two orifices. A plurality of locking elements may bepartially encompassed within the orifices of the shelving elements, theupper retaining elements, and the orifices of the lock bar.

The present disclosure may further comprise a method for affixing atrailer to a hitch when the hitch is stowed away in the bed of a truck.The method may comprise opening a trap door affixed to a bed of a truck.At least one of a plurality of locking elements may be removed from atleast one of a plurality of orifices found in shelving elements, upperretaining elements, and a lock bar. The lock bar may then be slid to anopen position.

The method may further comprise lifting a fifth wheel hitch welded to ahitch base portion to an upright position. The lock bar may then be slidto a closed position. The plurality of locking elements may be insertedinto the orifices found in the shelving elements, the upper retainingelements, and the lock bar. A trailer kingpin may then be inserted intothe fifth wheel hitch.

These and other aspects of the disclosed subject matter, as well asadditional novel features, will be apparent from the descriptionprovided herein. The intent of this summary is not to be a comprehensivedescription of the claimed subject matter, but rather to provide a shortoverview of some of the subject matter's functionality. Other systems,methods, features, and advantages here provided will become apparent toone with skill in the art upon examination of the following FIGURES anddetailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems,methods, features, and advantages that are included within thisdescription, be within the scope of the appended claims and/or thoseclaims filed later.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features believed characteristic of the presently disclosedsubject matter are set forth in the claims appended hereto or will beset forth in any claims that are filed herewith or later. The presentlydisclosed subject matter itself, however, as well as a preferred mode ofuse, further objectives, and advantages thereof, will best be understoodby reference to the following detailed description of an illustrativeembodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,wherein:

FIG. 1 displays a perspective view of a system for trailer attachment inaccordance with embodiments.

FIG. 2 depicts a side schematic view of a system for trailer attachmentin accordance with embodiments.

FIG. 3A depicts a front schematic view of a hitch base portion of asystem for trailer attachment in accordance with embodiments.

FIG. 3B depicts a side schematic view of a hitch base portion of asystem for trailer attachment in accordance with embodiments.

FIG. 4A depicts a top schematic view of a system for trailer attachmentwith an open lock bar in accordance with embodiments.

FIG. 4B depicts a top schematic view of a system for trailer attachmentwith a closed lock bar in accordance with embodiments.

FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of a system for trailer attachmentwith a fifth wheel hitch in accordance with embodiments.

FIG. 6A depicts a side schematic view of a system for trailer attachmentwith a fifth wheel hitch in an upright position in accordance withembodiments.

FIG. 6B depicts a side schematic view of a system for trailer attachmentwith a fifth wheel hitch in a lowered position in accordance withembodiments.

FIG. 7 depicts a method for trailer attachment in accordance withembodiments.

FIG. 8 depicts a method for fabrication of a system for trailerattachment in accordance with embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

Reference now should be made to the drawings, in which the samereference numbers are used throughout the different figures to designatethe same components.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third,etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elementsshould not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used todistinguish one element from another element. Thus, a first elementdiscussed below could be termed a second element without departing fromthe teachings of the present disclosure.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, thesingular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” are intended to include the pluralforms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It willbe further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising” or“includes” and/or “including” when used in this specification, specifythe presence of stated features, regions, integers, steps, operations,elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence oraddition of one or more other features, regions, integers, steps,operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

FIG. 1 displays a perspective view of a system for trailer attachment inaccordance with embodiments. The system may comprise a substantiallyrectangular frame structure 100 comprising a closed bottom interiorsection. In embodiments, the frame structure 100 may be affixed to atleast a portion of a towing vehicle frame. In embodiments, thesubstantially rectangular frame 100 may be affixed at a position below abed of the towing vehicle. In embodiments, the substantially rectangularframe 100 may be welded to the towing vehicle frame. In embodiments, thesubstantially rectangular frame structure 100 may be bolted to a truckframe. In embodiments, a lower frame 110 may be welded to at least aportion of the substantially rectangular frame structure 100. Inembodiments, the lower frame 110 may be bolted to a truck frame. Inembodiments, the substantially rectangular frame structure 100 maycomprise at least one interior wall. In embodiments, the substantiallyrectangular frame structure 100 may comprise four interior walls.

FIG. 2 depicts a side schematic view of a system for trailer attachmentin accordance with embodiments. The system may further comprise at leasttwo shelving elements 120 affixed to at least two interior walls of thesubstantially rectangular frame structure 100. In embodiments, the atleast two shelving elements 120 may be spaced a distance from the bottomof the interior section of the substantially rectangular frame structure100. In embodiments, the at least two shelving elements 120 may compriseat least one orifice 130.

At least two upper retaining elements 140 may be affixed to at least twointerior walls of the substantially rectangular frame structure 100. Inembodiments, the at least two upper retaining elements 140 may be spaceda distance from the at least two shelving elements 120. In embodiments,the at least two upper retaining elements 140 may each comprise at leastone orifice 150. A platform 160 may comprise a top surface and a bottomsurface. At least a portion of the platform 160 (denoted with a solidline and dotted lines) may be encompassed between the at least twoshelving elements 120 and the bottom interior surface of thesubstantially rectangular frame structure 100.

FIG. 3A depicts a front schematic view of a hitch base portion of asystem for trailer attachment in accordance with embodiments. At leasttwo pin collars 180 may be affixed to platform 160 and may each comprisehollow interior portions. A hitch base portion 170 may be pivotableabout a pivot axis and may comprise a hollow interior portion. Inembodiments, a pivot pin 200 may be rotatable within a portion of atleast two of the hollow interior portions of the at least two pincollars 180 and the hitch base portion 170 (see FIG. 3B) of each of theat least two pin collars 180 and the hitch base portion 170. Inembodiments, a fifth wheel hitch may be welded to the hitch base portion170. In embodiments, the hitch base portion 170 may be within a plane ofsymmetry perpendicular to a plane of symmetry of the frame structure 100when the hitch base portion 170 is in an upright position. Inembodiments, a portion of the hitch portion 170 may be greater in heightthan the bed of a towing vehicle when in the upright position. Inembodiments, the hitch portion 170 may be lesser in height than the bedof a towing vehicle when in the lowered position. This may allow for atrap door built into the bed of the truck to close over and cover thehitch portion 170 when in the lowered position. In embodiments, thefifth wheel hitch may comprise dual swivel-ability. For example, thefifth wheel hitch may swivel side-to-side and back-and-forth. Inembodiments, the fifth wheel hitch may comprise single swivel-ability.In embodiments, the hitch base portion 170 may comprise a hitch platform175 affixed to a top portion of the hitch base portion 170. Inembodiments, the hitch platform 175 may be affixed to the hitch baseportion 170 via welding. In embodiments, a fifth wheel hitch may bewelded to the hitch platform 175. In embodiments, the hitch base portion170 may comprise a range of motion greater than 90 degrees when affixedwithin the system. In embodiments, the system may further comprise clampelements 205 that may be installed on the pivot pin 200, wherein thepivot pin 200 may be slid through the hollow interior portions of the atleast two pin collars 180, the hollow interior portion of the hitch baseportion 170, and an interior surface of the clamp elements. Inembodiments, the clamp elements 205 may each be found between a pincollar 180 and the hitch base portion 170 while also existing around thepivot pin 200. In embodiments, the clamp elements 205 may cause anincrease in friction to reduce the sliding of the pivot pin 200 alongthe pivot axis. In embodiments (such as the embodiment shown in FIG.3B), the hitch base portion 170 may be rounded on the side where thehitch base portion 170 is folded down (pivots) so that the hitch baseportion 170 is not restricted from pivoting.

FIG. 3A further displays a pivot axis 235. The pivot axis 235 may runthrough the pivot pin 200. In embodiments, the hitch base portion 170may rotate about the pivot axis 235 in the direction of the arrow foundin FIG. 3B depending on where the hitch base portion 170 is being movedfrom and to (in a direction circumnavigating the pivot pin 200). Thehitch base portion 170 may rotate about the pivot axis 235 in theopposite direction of the arrow found in FIG. 3B depending on where thehitch base portion 170 is being moved from and to (also in a directioncircumnavigating the pivot pin 200).

In embodiments, the hitch base portion 170 may comprise a top side and abottom side that may exist on opposite sides of the hitch base portion170. In embodiments, the top side of the hitch base portion 170 mayreceive the fifth wheel hitch 225 (FIG. 5). In embodiments, the bottomside of the fifth wheel hitch 170 may exist adjacent to the platform 160when the hitch base portion 170 is in the upright position. Inembodiments, the bottom side of the fifth wheel hitch 170 may existadjacent to the platform 160 and may be in at least partial contactingrelationship with the platform 160 when the hitch base portion 170 is inthe upright position.

In embodiments, the bottom side of the hitch base portion 170 and/or thefifth wheel hitch 225 may exist in at least partial contactingrelationship with the platform 160 when the hitch base portion 170 is inthe upright position and engaged and retained by the lock bar 220. Inembodiments, the hitch base portion 170 and/or the fifth wheel hitch 225may exist in at least partial contacting relationship with an interiorwall of the substantially rectangular frame structure 100 when the hitchbase portion 170 is in the upright position and engaged and retained bythe lock bar 220. In embodiments, at least the bottom side of the hitchbase portion 170 and/or the fifth wheel hitch 225 may exist in at leastpartial contacting relationship with both the platform 160 and aninterior wall of the substantially rectangular frame structure 100 whenthe hitch base portion 170 is in the upright position and engaged andretained by the lock bar 220.

In embodiments, the bottom side of the hitch base portion 170 may existin at least partial contacting relationship with the platform 160 whenthe hitch base portion 170 is in the upright position. In embodiments,the hitch base portion 170 and/or the fifth wheel hitch 225 may exist inat least partial contacting relationship with an interior wall of thesubstantially rectangular frame structure 100 when the hitch baseportion 170 is in the upright position. In embodiments, at least thebottom side of the hitch base portion 170 may exist in at least partialcontacting relationship with both the platform 160 and an interior wallof the substantially rectangular frame structure 100 when the hitch baseportion 170 is in the upright position.

In embodiments, the hitch base portion 170 and/or the fifth wheel hitch225 may exist in at least partial contacting relationship with theclosed bottom of the substantially rectangular frame structure 100 whenthe hitch base portion 170 is in a lowered position. In embodiments, thehitch base portion 170 and/or the fifth wheel hitch 225 may not exist inat least partial contacting relationship with the closed bottom of thesubstantially rectangular frame structure 100 when the hitch baseportion 170 is in a lowered position.

In embodiments, the pivot pin 200 may be affixed (via welding, etc.) tothe hollow interior portion of the hitch base portion 170. Inembodiments, the pivot pin 200 may be rotatable within the at least twopin collars 180. In embodiments, the pivot pin 200 may be affixed (viawelding, etc) to the hollow interior portions of the at least two pincollars 180. In embodiments, the pivot pin may be rotatable within thehollow interior portion of the hitch base portion 170. In embodiments,the hollow interior portion of the hitch base portion 170 may be formfitted to at least a portion of the pivot pin 200. In embodiments, thehollow interior portions of the at least two pin collars 180 may be formfitted to at least a portion of the pivot pin 200.

As shown in FIG. 3B, the hollow interior portion of the hitch baseportion 170 may be denoted with a circular dotted line in embodiments.

FIG. 4A depicts a top schematic view of a system for trailer attachmentwith an open lock bar 220 in accordance with embodiments. FIG. 4Bdepicts a top schematic view of a system for trailer attachment with aclosed lock bar 210 in accordance with embodiments. A lock bar 210,220may be slidably engageable within the distance between the shelvingelements 120 and the upper retaining elements 140. In embodiments, thelock bar 210,220 may comprise at least two orifices 230. In embodiments,the lock bar 210,220 may be able to “swing open” by having one side ofthe lock bar 210,220 fixed to at least one of the shelving element 120and the upper retaining element 140 via a locking element. The lockingelement, such as a bolt, may be positioned within one of the orifices ofeach of the shelving element 120, the upper retaining element 140, andthe lock bar 210,220 in order to retain one side of the lock bar210,220. The second orifices of each of the shelving element 120, theupper retaining element 140, and the lock bar 210,220 may not contain anelement so that the other side of the lock bar 210,220 may not beretained in place so that the lock bar 210,220 may be allowed to bepositioned in an open position. In embodiments, the hitch base portion170 may be in a lowered position when not engaged and retained by theopen lock bar 220 found in FIG. 4A. In embodiments, the locking elementmay be permanently affixed within the orifices of each of the shelvingelement 120, the upper retaining element 140, and the lock bar 210,220.In embodiments, the locking element may be a bolted pin.

As found in FIG. 4B, a second locking element may be partiallyencompassed within the other of the orifices 130,150,230 of the upperretaining elements 140, the shelving elements 120, and the lock bar 210.In embodiments, the hitch base portion 170 may be in an upright positionwhen engaged and retained by the closed lock bar 210 found in FIG. 4B.In embodiments, the second locking element may be a drop pin. Inembodiments, the second locking element may be a bolted pin.

FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of a system for trailer attachmentwith a fifth wheel hitch 225 in accordance with embodiments. The fifthwheel hitch 225 may be affixed to at least a portion of the hitchplatform 175 of the hitch base portion 170. In embodiments, the fifthwheel hitch 225 may be welded to at least a portion of the hitchplatform 175. The fifth wheel hitch 225 may be moved in response to thecombination of the hitch base portion 170 and the pivot pin 200 actingin pivoting engagement. FIG. 6A depicts a side schematic view of asystem for trailer attachment with a fifth wheel hitch 225 in an uprightposition in accordance with embodiments. When the fifth wheel hitch 225is in use, the fifth wheel hitch 225 may be in the upright position inorder to be able to receive a trailer kingpin, in embodiments. FIG. 6Bdepicts a side schematic view of a system for trailer attachment with afifth wheel hitch 225 in a lowered position in accordance withembodiments. When the fifth wheel hitch 225 is in use, the fifth wheelhitch 225 may be in the lowered position in order to be able to bestowed within the bed of a truck. In embodiments, when the fifth wheelhitch 225 is in the lowered position, the fifth wheel hitch 225 mayallow enough space for a trap door to close over the entire system fortrailer attachment.

In embodiments, the closed bottom of the substantially rectangular framestructure 100 may comprise a protector element that may receive at leasta portion of the hitch base portion 170 and/or the fifth wheel hitch 225when in the lowered position so that the closed bottom may be protectedfrom impact, scratching, etc. by the hitch base portion 170 and/or thefifth wheel hitch 225. The protector element may be made of any suitablematerial in order to protect the closed bottom from impact, scratching,etc., such as, but not limited to silicone, polymer, and wood. Inembodiments, the protector element may comprise an adhesive element thatmay allow the protector element to affix to the closed bottom. Inembodiments, the protector element may be affixed to the closed bottomby means other than an adhesive, such as, but not limited to bolts andwelds.

The disclosure may further comprise a method 700 for affixing a trailerto a hitch when the hitch is stowed away in the bed of a truck, as foundin FIG. 7. Method 700 may comprise opening 710 a trap door affixed to abed of a truck and removing 720 at least one locking element from atleast one orifice 130,150,230 found in at least two shelving elements120, at least two upper retaining elements 140, at least two orificesfound in a lock bar 210,220 (wherein the one or more locking elementsmay keep the lock bar 210,220 in place). Method 700 may further comprisesliding 730 the lock bar 210,220 to an open position once the at leastone locking element has been removed. A fifth wheel hitch welded to ahitch base portion 170 may then be lifted 740 to an upright position.Once the fifth wheel hitch is in an upright position, the open lock bar220 may be slid 750 to a closed position. The locking elements removedfrom the orifices 130,150,230 may then be re-inserted (inserted) 760into the orifices 130,150,230 found in the at least two shelvingelements 120, the at least two upper retaining elements 140, and thelock bar 210,220. A trailer kingpin may then be inserted 770 into thefifth wheel hitch.

In embodiments, a majority of the elements of the system for trailerattachment may be affixed to other elements of the system for trailerattachment via welding.

The disclosure may further provide a method 800 for fabrication of thesystem, as found in FIG. 8. Method 800 may comprise welding 810 thebottom interior section to the substantially rectangular frame structure100. In embodiments, the bottom interior section may be thinner than therest of the substantially rectangular frame structure 100. The at leasttwo shelving elements 120 may be welded 820 to the at least two interiorwalls. At least one orifice 130 may be drilled 830 into each of the atleast two shelving elements. The at least two upper retaining elements140 may be welded 840 to the at least two interior walls. At least oneorifice 150 may be drilled 850 into each of the at least two upperretaining elements 140.

Method 800 may further comprise welding 860 the platform 160 to the atleast two interior walls of which the at least two shelving elements 120are welded. At least two pin collars 180 may be welded 870 to theplatform 160. A pivot pin 200 may be placed 880 within a portion of eachof the hollow interior portions of the at least two pin collars 180 andthe hollow interior portion of a hitch base portion 170. At least one ofa plurality of locking elements may be placed 890 within at least one ofthe at least one shelving element orifices 130, at least one of the atleast one upper retaining element orifices 150, and at least one of theat least two orifices 230 of the lock bar 210,220 in order to at leastpartially retain the lock bar 210,220.

The steps of the aforementioned methods 700,800 may be performed in anysuitable order and are not limited by the order in which the steps arepresented.

In embodiments, elements of the present disclosure may be welded to oneanother via stick welding. In embodiments, elements of the presentdisclosure may be welded to one another via mig welding.

In embodiments, a fifth wheel hitch 225 utilized by the system fortrailer attachment may be the Holland Mini Fifth Wheel Hitch made bySAF-HOLLAND USA, Inc. In embodiments, the fifth wheel hitch 225 mayperform similarly to any other conventional fifth wheel hitch.

The foregoing description of the preferred embodiments is provided toenable a person skilled in the art to make or use the claimed subjectmatter. Various modifications to these embodiments, including changingpoint values and/or adding or deleting point opportunities, will bereadily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principlesdefined herein may be applied to other embodiments without the use ofthe innovative faculty. Thus, the claimed subject matter is not intendedto be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded thewidest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosedherein.

The detailed description set forth herein in connection with theappended drawings is intended as a description of exemplary embodimentsin which the presently disclosed apparatus and system can be practiced.The term “exemplary” used throughout this description means “serving asan example, instance, or illustration,” and should not necessarily beconstrued as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments.

Further, although exemplary devices and figures to implement theelements of the disclosed subject matter have been provided, one skilledin the art, using this disclosure, could develop additional hardwareand/or software to practice the disclosed subject matter and each isintended to be included herein.

In addition to the above described embodiments, those skilled in the artwill appreciate that this disclosure has application in a variety ofarts and situations and this disclosure is intended to include the same.

1. A system comprising: a substantially rectangular frame structurecomprising a closed bottom interior section; at least two shelvingelements affixed to at least two interior walls, the at least twoshelving elements spaced a distance from the bottom of the interiorsection, the at least two shelving elements each comprising at least oneorifice; at least two upper retaining elements affixed to at least twointerior walls, the at least two upper retaining elements spaced adistance from the at least two shelving elements, the at least two upperretaining elements each comprising at least one orifice, a platformcomprising a top surface and a bottom surface, at least a portion of theplatform encompassed within the open interior space of the at least twoshelving elements; at least two pin collars affixed to the platform, theat least two pin collars each comprising hollow interior portions; ahitch base portion pivotable about a pivot axis, the hitch base portioncomprising a hollow interior portion, the hitch base portion comprisinga hitch platform affixed to a top portion of the hitch base portion; apivot pin rotatable within a portion of at least two of the hollowinterior portions of the at least two pin collars and the hitch baseportion; a lock bar slidably engageable within the distance between theat least two shelving elements and the at least two upper retainingelements, the lock bar comprising at least two orifices; and a pluralityof locking elements partially encompassed within the at least oneorifices of the at least two shelving elements, the at least oneorifices of the at least two upper retaining elements, and the at leasttwo orifices of the lock bar.
 2. The system of claim 1, the hitch baseportion in an upright position when engaged and retained by the lockbar.
 3. The system of claim 2, the hitch base portion within a plane ofsymmetry perpendicular to a plane of symmetry of the frame structurewhen in an upright position.
 4. The system of claim 1, the hitch baseportion in a lowered position when not engaged and retained by the lockbar.
 5. The system of claim 1, the substantially rectangular frameaffixed at a position below a bed of the towing vehicle.
 6. The systemof claim 2, a portion of the hitch portion greater in height than thebed of the towing vehicle when in the upright position.
 7. The system ofclaim 4, the hitch portion lesser in height than the bed of the towingvehicle when in the lowered position.
 8. The system of claim 7, the bedof the truck further comprising a trap door covering the system, thehitch portion being in the lowered position.
 9. The system of claim 1,the substantially rectangular frame welded to the towing vehicle frame.10. The system of claim 1, at least one of the plurality of lockingelements being a drop pin.
 11. The system of claim 1, at least one ofthe plurality of locking elements being a bolted pin.
 12. The system ofclaim 1, the rectangular frame structure bolted to a truck frame. 13.The system of claim 1, further comprising a lower frame welded to atleast a portion of the rectangular frame structure.
 14. The system ofclaim 13, the lower frame bolted to a truck frame.
 15. The system ofclaim 1, the fifth wheel hitch comprising dual swivel-ability.
 16. Thesystem of claim 15, at least one of the hitch base portion and the fifthwheel hitch in at least partial contacting relationship with a closedbottom of the substantially rectangular frame structure when the hitchbase portion and the fifth wheel hitch is in the lowered position. 17.The system of claim 1, the bottom side of the hitch base portion in atleast partial contacting relationship with the platform when the hitchbase portion is in the upright position.
 18. The system of claim 1, thesystem created by a method for fabrication of the system comprising:welding the bottom interior section to the substantially rectangularframe structure; welding the at least two shelving elements to the atleast two interior walls; drilling the at least one orifice into each ofthe at least two shelving elements; welding the at least two upperretaining elements to the at least two interior walls; drilling the atleast one orifice into each of the at least two upper retainingelements; welding the platform to the at least two interior walls ofwhich the at least two shelving elements are welded; welding at leasttwo pin collars to the platform; placing a pivot pin within a portion ofeach of the hollow interior portions of the at least two pin collars andthe hollow interior portion of a hitch base portion; and placing atleast one of a plurality of locking elements within at least one of theat least one shelving element orifices, at least one of the at least oneupper retaining element orifices, and at least one of the at least twoorifices of the lock bar in order to at least partially retain the lockbar.
 19. The system of claims 1 and 18, the frame structure affixed toat least a portion of a towing vehicle frame.
 20. The system of claims 1and 18, further comprising a fifth wheel hitch welded to the hitchplatform.
 21. The system of claim 1, utilized in a method for affixing atrailer to a hitch when the hitch is stowed away in a bed of a truckcomprising: opening a trap door affixed to the bed of a truck; removingthe at least one of a plurality of locking elements from the at leastone shelving element orifices, the at least one upper retaining elementorifices, and the at least two orifices of the lock bar; sliding thelock bar to an open position; lifting a fifth wheel hitch welded to thehitch platform to an upright position; sliding the lock bar to a closedposition; inserting the at least one of the plurality of lockingelements into at least one of the at least one shelving elementorifices, the at least one upper retaining element orifices, and the atleast two orifices of the lock bar; and inserting a trailer kingpin intothe fifth wheel hitch.
 22. A system comprising: a substantiallyrectangular frame structure comprising a closed bottom interior section,the frame structure affixed to at least a portion of a towing vehicleframe; at least two shelving elements affixed to at least two interiorwalls, the at least two shelving elements spaced a distance from thebottom of the interior section, the at least two shelving elements eachcomprising at least one orifice; at least two upper retaining elementsaffixed to at least two interior walls, the at least two upper retainingelements spaced a distance from the at least two shelving elements, theat least two upper retaining elements each comprising at least oneorifice, a platform comprising a top surface and a bottom surface, atleast a portion of the platform encompassed within the open interiorspace of the at least two shelving elements; at least two pin collarsaffixed to the platform, the at least two pin collars each comprisinghollow interior portions; a hitch base portion pivotable about a pivotaxis, the hitch base portion comprising a hollow interior portion, thehitch base portion comprising a hitch platform affixed to a top portionof the hitch base portion; a pivot pin rotatable within a portion of atleast two of the hollow interior portions of the at least two pincollars and the hitch base portion; a lock bar slidably engageablewithin the distance between the at least two shelving elements and theat least two upper retaining elements, the lock bar comprising at leasttwo orifices; and a plurality of locking elements partially encompassedwithin the at least one orifices of the at least two shelving elements,the at least one orifices of the at least two upper retaining elements,and the at least two orifices of the lock bar.
 23. A system comprising:a substantially rectangular frame structure comprising a closed bottominterior section; at least two shelving elements affixed to at least twointerior walls, the at least two shelving elements spaced a distancefrom the bottom of the interior section, the at least two shelvingelements each comprising at least one orifice; at least two upperretaining elements affixed to at least two interior walls, the at leasttwo upper retaining elements spaced a distance from the at least twoshelving elements, the at least two upper retaining elements eachcomprising at least one orifice, a platform comprising a top surface anda bottom surface, at least a portion of the platform encompassed withinthe open interior space of the at least two shelving elements; at leasttwo pin collars affixed to the platform, the at least two pin collarseach comprising hollow interior portions; a hitch base portion pivotableabout a pivot axis, the hitch base portion comprising a hollow interiorportion, the hitch base portion comprising a hitch platform affixed to atop portion of the hitch base portion; a fifth wheel hitch welded to thehitch platform; a pivot pin rotatable within a portion of at least twoof the hollow interior portions of the at least two pin collars and thehitch base portion; a lock bar slidably engageable within the distancebetween the at least two shelving elements and the at least two upperretaining elements, the lock bar comprising at least two orifices; and aplurality of locking elements partially encompassed within the at leastone orifices of the at least two shelving elements, the at least oneorifices of the at least two upper retaining elements, and the at leasttwo orifices of the lock bar.